How to buy a backpack

In the same way a pair of too-tight hiking boots can ruin your day on the trail, an ill-fitting backpack can easily turn your fun trek into a nightmare march. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The Gear Guy is currently researching new models and writing an update to this article. Watch for his updated tips and reviews in the April 2017 issue of Boys’ Life.

Backpacks come in many different shapes and sizes with tons of adjustability to fit just about any type of backpacker. The trick is finding the right pack for your body and the type of backpacking you have planned.

Your Gear Guy is here to help get you on the trail and easily shouldering that load.

TORSO LENGTH

To pick a pack that fits you correctly, first measure your torso length. Have a parent use a soft seamstress tape to measure the distance from the base of your neck straight down to your hipbone. Now find a pack that fits that sizing. Most youth backpacks have adjustable harnesses that accommodate a range of torso lengths.

WAIST WISE

The next measurement you need is your waist size. About 70 to 80 percent of the weight of your pack will be supported by your hips, so getting a hip belt that fits is key. Most hip belts offer a lot of adjustment, and some packs provide removable/swappable hip belts so you can size appropriately.

INTERNAL VS. EXTERNAL

There are two basic types of backpacks: External frame packs use a metal framework on the outside to support the load, while internal frame packs have their support structure hidden inside the pack like a skeleton.

Internal frame packs are more formfitting, bringing the load closer to your body for more stability and better performance on tight trails.

External frame packs are cheaper and provide better airflow between your body and the pack, while also offering more flexibility for packing bulky items.

When choosing between internal and external frame packs, make sure to consider the size of your sleeping bag. You might buy an internal frame backpack only to get home and realize there’s no way your sleeping bag will fit inside. If you have a lightweight, compressible sleeping bag, it should fit well in most internal packs, but if you have a big, bulky sleeping bag and won’t be getting a new one anytime soon, consider an external frame pack. It’ll give you plenty of room for strapping on a large sleeping bag.

CARRYING CAPACITY

When it comes to backpacks, bigger is not always better. The amount of gear a pack can hold is measured in either liters or cubic inches. Your pack’s carrying capacity should mirror the type of trip you’re planning, whether it’s a simple overnighter, a full-on seven-day backpacking trip or something in between.

An internal frame pack with a capacity of about 40 to 60 liters would be a versatile size for most guys and perfect for a multiday trip. Of course, the smaller you are, the smaller the bag you should carry, so a 35- to 50-liter pack might be fine for you. You can also get by with a lower-capacity external frame pack since there’s lots of extra space to strap on a sleeping bag and pad.

Remember, just because you have space left over doesn’t mean you should fill your pack to the brim. Keep your load within 20 to 30 percent of your bodyweight. Carry just the essentials and your pack will be much lighter, you’ll use less energy getting down the trail and you’ll probably have a lot more fun, too!

EXTRAS

They’re nice but not necessary. Comfort and fit are most important. Beyond that, look for a pack with compression straps that help keep your load from flopping around when the pack isn’t filled up. Some packs are top-loading only while others have side zips that let you access your stuff from several places. You’ll also find bells and whistles like built-in sleeves for hydration packs and lots of exterior organization pockets for easy access to what you need on the trail.

BORROW FIRST

Ask around to see if friends have a backpack you can borrow. This will help you get a feel for what type of pack you want to buy and how it should fit. Some outdoor shops even rent backpacks, so you can try before you buy.

BACKPACK BUDGET

Before you go pack shopping, set a budget. Sure, you’ll see lots of tricked-out big brand-name backpacks in the $400-plus range, but you certainly don’t need to spend that much. The $150-$200 range will get you a nice pack that should last for several years or more.

WHERE TO BUY?

Nothing beats a Scout shop or outdoor specialty store with knowledgeable sales people who can help with fit. Try on several packs, have them adjusted appropriately, then fill them up with gear and wear them around the shop for 15 to 20 minutes. The key is to simulate the kind of weight you’ll be carrying. So fill up the pack with 20 to 30 pounds of tents and climbing ropes from the store or bring your own gear. While buying online can save you some cash, you won’t be able to try out the pack before you buy it.

31 Comments on How to buy a backpack

maybe be so but they are unconformable and if you pack only what is needed then room is not really a problem. Try making a list on your next backpack. Whatever you do not use check of and do not bring it again(of course things like first aid kits and other 10 essentials should still go). Also only carry as much food as you are going to eat, if you have too much food left after the trip cut down on the amount you bring.

I used a Gregory Palisade (5300) when I went to Philmont a few years ago. I never had any trouble with the pack and always had space for troop and personal gear.

For a young scout you cant go wrong with a Jansport Scout. I recieved one when I was in Cub Scouts and used in for several years. The pack is ajustable and a great pack for youth who are just starting out in the sport. Usually you can always find them on sale at stores like Campmor or REI. Moreover, I always hear good things about the Kelty Yukon.

Loading a pack with the heavier items near the bottom and lighter items near the top also makes the mpack easier to carry and control. This is true of both internal and external framed packs. Many packs have a sleeping bag compartment at the bottom of the pack, but if your tent is heavier than your sleeping bag it make sense to carry it nearer the bottom of the pack. Heavy items such as stoves and fuel will also help move the load downward to your hips and take some pressure off of your shoulders. Water is arguably the heaviest item you will carry at nearly eight pounds per gallon. Packs with hydration compartments make sense, and the constant ability to drink as you walk can save you from dehydration. The most important point about pack size, as pointed out is that it should fit properly, then considerations about the length of the trip and time on the trail should be taken into consideration. I enjoyed reading the posted comments.

Are Canvas Backpacks built more durable than nylon backpacks? Will Canvas Backpacks withstand the weather and terrain more than nylon backpacks? During our visit to Philmont, my crew decided to earn the 50 miler afoot and afloat award so that our backpacks need to withstand water as well as dry heat of Philmont. Thank you for your input regarding canvas backpacks versus nylon backpacks.

definitely i agree, external packs are the way to go for 90% of scouts. but when i went on a backpacking trip in the adirondacks, i found that my external frame pack constantly shifted left and right on the rugged trails, and the frame sometimes caught on low-hanging branches (a common occurrence in the adirondacks), so in conditions like those an internal frame pack would be more appropriate.

skip the external and get an internal, when bushwhacking it is much easier to get through dense brush the pack protects everything inside of it, and you don’t have to deal with strapping your gear on and don’t have to worry about the gear falling off.

yeah they work good… for a kiddy trail. if you are a serious hiker (like myself) you don’t walk on perfectly groomed trails (I RARELY hike or a trail at all!) internal frames are the best of the best for rough trail hiking (or no trail at all)

I think that a larger capacity of pack is needed rather than these internal frames with only 3 to 4 thousand cubic inches because they allow you to carry some of your troops gear or if your sleeping bag or pad is rather bulky.

Hip belts are a must in all situations. They are well worth the cost. Hip belts do reduce injury, but are also much more comfortable to where. The hip belt is designed to eliminate load on the shoulders, thus increasing range of motion and hikability. You will always want a hip belt once you try it out.

When camping I put the tent on the top under the top cover, and attach my sleeping bag to the bottom of my pack with tie-downs.

Are hip belts really worth the cost for people who go camping and hiking frequently to reduce injury to the lower back by placing the weight of the backpack on the pelvis? Or, are hip belts on a backpack only really needed for people who hike for distances such as at a High Adventure Camping Program. How does a person properly affix both a sleeping bag and a four person tent onto a back pack for hiking to a campsite?

YES hip belts are worth the cost. They help a bunch.
And for the affixing the sleeping bag: with a backpacking bag, just put it inside. For a regular bag, use the straps on the bottom of the bag. For a tent, either use the straps on the bottom if nothing else is there, or loosed the straps on the main pocket cover, put the tent under it, and tighten the straps